An RN in a primary care office is caring for a 15-year-old male with severe gastrointestinal distress. The patient reports four days of diarrhea, vomiting, and intermittent fever. A stool culture was ordered in an attempt to identify a disease-causing pathogen.
-Microscopic analysis revealed the presence of gram-negative bacilli in the patient's stool. Based upon this information,which of the following accurately describes the appearance of the bacterium under magnification?

Question

An RN in a primary care office is caring for a 15-year-old male with severe gastrointestinal distress. The patient reports four days of diarrhea, vomiting, and intermittent fever. A stool culture was ordered in an attempt to identify a disease-causing pathogen. 
-Microscopic analysis revealed the presence of gram-negative bacilli in the patient's stool. Based upon this information,which of the following accurately describes the appearance of the bacterium under magnification?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Gram-negative bacilli appear as red rods under a microscope after a Gram stain, due to their thin peptidoglycan layer and outer membrane which do not retain the crystal violet stain but take up the counterstain (safranin or fuchsine).

An RN in a Primary Care Office Is Caring for a 15-Year-Old